Jan 20 2001 to Jan 20 2009
Grade: F
Unlike the rest of the Presidents at this end of the pool, the only one I've had the ignominy of having to live under is George W. Bush. Unfortunately, I have to admit that I played a role in putting him where he was, voting for him in 2000. Fortunately, I didn't vote for him in 2004, not that it did much good.
Who knows when we will finally understand just how corrupt, malevolent and incompetent his administration was. Whether it was his dumb-assery, Grand Vice-Chancellor Cheney, or his incompetence minions, the first eight years of the 21st century won't go down as a time of inspired government in the U.S. Heck, President Obama could call his term a success just cleaning half the mess the Bushies made in Washington.
There was a time (From 1/20/2001 to the first time I heard about the Axis of Evil) that I gave President Bush the benefit of the doubt. He seemed solid enough as a responder to the fanatics in Afghanistan that supported the fanatics who attacked the United States. However, any capital he had gained with me was lost by the pointless and obvious imperial move towards attacking Iraq. I cannot forgive him for the over 4,000 American deaths caused by that unnecessary and unprovoked conflict.
Before his administration, I was a solid Republican. Now, I doubt I will ever go back to the party. This wasn't entirely his doing (the Evangelist/Racist/Amoral Capitalist Wings of the party helped as well), but he helped bring about my party switch. About the only thing good I can say about him is that he did have a somewhat reasonable immigration. Unfortunately, he couldn't get any major Republicans not named John McCain to support it, and it was a failure. Just like his term in office.
